TC looking forward to new season

West Ham United legend Tony Cottee believes manager Sam Allardyce needs to bring in one more forward to complement his forward line ahead of the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season.

Cottee lauded the signing of England centre forward Andy Carroll and believes Modibo Maiga, Ricardo Vaz Te and Elliot Lee have parts to play. However, the 146-goal striker believes Big Sam will delve into the market to bring in one more frontman before the big kick-off at home to Cardiff City on Saturday 17 August.

"It was a good season for the Club last year, finishing tenth in our first season back in the Barclays Premier League," Cottee told West Ham TV. "Right at the end of last season, I felt we needed to strengthen up front.

"The Andy Carroll conundrom has been resolved and we obviously have Modibo Maiga, Ricardo Vaz Te and Elliot Lee as the guys who are squad players. To have a successful season in the Premier League you need to have four quality strikers.

"That is the aim as we come towards the start of the season. We need to get a striker in. The signing of Andy is great for the Club, so if we can keep Maiga and Vaz Te and get one more in, then I feel that is where our priorities lie.

"We're pretty good in midfield. We could maybe do with a couple of players with a little bit of pace in the squad. At centre-half we're fine and I think we're OK in the goalkeeping position, so it's mainly the forward positions for me."

Cottee also said he believes Romania captain and left-back Razvan Rat will add welcome experience to the back four before going on to set out his goals for 2013/14.

"I am just hoping for a five-year period of stability at the Club. I got frustrated with the Club being a yo-yo and going up and down, up and down, because I don't think that did anyone any good.

"Under Sam Allardyce I do think we will get a period of stability and that is exactly what the Club needs. We're three years away from going into the Olympic Stadium and we simply must retain our Premier League status.

"I don't want the fans to get carried away just because we finished tenth. I don't want fans thinking we're going to qualify for the Champions League next season because that is unrealistic. With the budget and squad we've got, that's not going to happen.

"It wouldn't be a disaster if we finished 12th or 13th next year, but hopefully we can improve. If we can finish ninth next year, I'll be absolutely thrilled with that and then hopefully eighth and seventh.

"Once we get into the Olympic Stadium, it will give the Club more money and more sponsorship and commercial opportunities to develop the squad and give Sam the chance to compete for Europe. That's my ultimate dream - to see us compete for a place in the Champions League."

To hear TC's thoughts on what the Hammers need to do better next season and who he has tipped to be voted Hammer of the Year in 2014, log in or subscribe to West Ham TV now.